General Croma CD changer

[cragster1]

Hi, I have recently purchased a Techno Grey 150 Eleganza diesel with 65000 on the clock and after sorting a few issues (using the forum as a usefull reference point so thanks to everyone) I would like to ask for some particular advice. The car has the standard stereo system with a lead in the boot for a CD changer. Does anyone have a changer in there car and if so, could they tell me the model number. I have been told that a Blaupunkt CDC-A03 will fit, but if so will I have to make any wiring changes.
I will add more to the forum in the future, including details of my exhaust leak, an alternator failure and some other small niggles which are all now sorted but seem to be a part of everyday Croma ownership. Love the car though and want to improve and upgrade it so all advise will be gratefully recieved. Thanks.

 

[Moneyfool]

For info my 2005 150 Prestigio came with the CD changer factory fitted in the glovebox (attached to roof of glovebox). It also has the satnav but would have thought the installations to be similar between cars.

 

[s130]

My 150 Eleganza, purchased new, to my knowlege has no CD changer feed into the boot area. If I remeber correctly there may be a feed for a rear 'bass boomer' unit but would have to dig deeper to confirm / deny.

The car's previous owner(s) may have fitted the CD changer lead.

 

[Doofer]

I've got the standard stereo, with changer in the glovebox. This is the normal setup, and I haven't noticed any leads in the boot.

I agree with above, that it sounds like something the previous owner fitted. Possibly a standard Blaupunkt aftermarket connector?

The posh stereo factory option adds a subwoofer in the boot, and an additional tweeter in each of the rear side doors. It also uses higher-quality speaker units throughout. The standard setup has the tweeter grille in the back doors, with no speaker behind it.

Has anyone got the posh stereo option here? It can't have been too popular - I like nice sound quality, but I wouldn't have paid for it as an option. I think it was a £1000 option

 

[cragster1]

Thanks for all of the information, the lead in the boot may have been fitted by the previous owner. Could you tell me the model number of changer that you have in the glovebox as due to its proximity to the stereo this may be the easy fit option for me. Thanks again.

 

[Moneyfool]

Haven't been able to locate a model number on the unit or from the manual but the attached photos might help in the installation. Note the glove box lining appears to be one piece. Obviously not sure what you have there now.

 

[Hellcat]

You could almost fit a whole 1 DIN head unit in there by the looks of it.

 

[Moneyfool]

So you might but it now makes it a bloody hopeless shape to get anything else useful in there!

 

[Hellcat]

You've obviously not met the Bravo's 'glove box'. It would fall foul of advertising standards if you called it a 'gloves box'

 

[s130]

On my Stilo Fiat supplied a complete new glove box insert into which you munted the CD changer unit. Whole glove box had the same black velvet liniing, cooling facility etc. except that the upper section was brought forward to support a flush mount of the CD changer behind the lid.

The above installation pictures look like a different approach to the problem.

 

[cragster1]

Thanks for all the pictures and advise on possible CD changer installations. The glovebox option does seem the best so will probabally go down that route. I think the model number of the glove box changer is CDC-A09. I have previously had one of these in a panda so understand how they fit.
as I said in my original thread I have had some minor teething problems with the car. 2 weeks after purchase the alternator went in to meltdown, costing me over £200 to put right. Next the exhaust leaked fumes in to the engine bay and ventilation system which turned out to be a loose sealing ring joining cat pipe to turbo. Wallet minus another £60 as it is a pig to get to and I just couldn't face the agro. All problems now sorted and I love the car. superb for the family with plenty of power and kit. Wanted one in 2007 when I drove a demonstrator with full leather at my local dealership but could not get the deal I wanted. Since then I have bought a new Bravo 150 Multijet Dynamic in Black and have loved it but pilled on the miles so decided to let the wife use it to bring down the mileage while I had something else, thus the arrival of the Croma. Paid £4000 for the car with full service and 65000 on the clock which was the best mileage I could find for the money. Still feel I got a good deal dispite the problems and would recomend them to anyone. The only thing I fancy now is the 18" wheel option (mine are 17") so if anyone can advise if this is a wise move then I would value your advise. Thanks, Cragster.

 

[Moneyfool]

I have the 18" wheels and have commented on other threads that I sometimes find the ride a bit harsh especially on poor surfaces (to be expected I suppose). I've never been in one with 17" wheels so can't compare. If you are near North Cambs I'd be happy to compare rides and notes.

 

[DoIDon'tI]

Having had the original 18" wheels on mine for 4K miles, then a set of 16" Saab wheels for 15K, and now a set of Alfa 17" ones for 9K, the 17" is (IMO) the best compromise between ride and handling. The 18" setup is just too harsh for poor surfaces and will prematurely wear the chocolate GM suspension components / help break the springs a bit sooner! Steers a little too quickly for smooth driving as well, if you know what I mean.

The 16" setup doesn't have enough clearance for the front calipers (you have to use reeeaally thin balance weights ) and it handles like a blancmange.

17" with 225/50 tyres give a good compromise, the extra 12mm-ish of sidewall height over 225/45 makes a surprising difference.

18" wheels look good though..!

HTH.

 

[Doofer]

Each to their own I guess, but I have standard 18" wheels on mine. I don't think it's too hard at all - it's a good compromise between comfort and handling.

As I was buying it I read the various comments here about them and was expecting a bone-shaker. It's fine. They have a decent amount of rubber between the wheel and the road (about 10cm) - some of the pimped up yobbo cars have tyres like rubber bands.

I'd say it feels pretty German with the 18" wheels at least. Firm but fair.

Having said that, I tend to steer round most bumps where possible, having driven firmer cars and cycled for years.

It's softer than the SEAT I had a couple of years ago for example, which had 16" wheels and the VW Golf GTI's sports suspension. It's probably also softer than the bog-standard mid-range Fiesta we had. It's firmer than the soggy French Citroen Berlingo was also had in the past.

Just an alternative opinion...

 

[DoIDon'tI]

I'd say it feels pretty German with the 18" wheels at least. Firm but fair.

Stiffer than my last VW Sharan (60-section tyres) and my Father-in-law's 530D (55-section tyres). Waaaaaaaaaay stiffer than my previous Citroen XMs, but no surprises there.

I tend to steer round most bumps where possible

You can't be driving on Fenland roads then, you'd be dead by now

It's softer than the SEAT I had a couple of years ago for example, which had 16" wheels and the VW Golf GTI's sports suspension. It's probably also softer than the bog-standard mid-range Fiesta we had.

I'd probably agree on that one

It's firmer than the soggy French Citroen Berlingo was also had in the past.

Isn't everything?

Without this developing into the usual internet forum "I'm right and you're not"-style rubbish, I think the wise thing to do would be to compare if possible, as people have different benchmarks and tolerances. Being the not-so-proud owner of two bulging lumbar discs makes me perhaps more sensitive to road surfaces

PS I live near Wisbech if that's any good.

 

[cragster1]

Cheers everyone, am currently happy with the 17" set up from a handling point of view but it's just the asthetic look of the 18" rims I like as they seem to fill the arches better and give the effect of lowering the car. Still on the look out for a set at the right price though so I can give them a go. To update on the CD changer, I have managed to get a 10 disk Bluapunkt with new cable to hook it up to the original stereo unit for the sum total of £26 on ebay as the glovebox version would have been about £60. Unit in good condition and i have wired it up and mounted the changer in the boot this morning and it works perfectly, including all the CDC functions on the head unit such as CD naming and mix function. Just seemed the best and cheepest option after looking at the price of the in dash unit. Thanks again for all the advise and if anyone decides to ditch their 18" rims then let me know. Cheers, Cragster.

 

[Moneyfool]

Hey DoIDon'tI I'm also close to Wisbech (like half a mile) and I'd be interested in seeing how the ride with your 17 inch wheels compares with my 18 inch ones. Can I bribe you with a pint of Elgood's finest?! PM with your contacts if interested. Thanks.

 

[notorious]

Just to confirm, I also got a generic version of a 10 disc blaupunkt cdc ao3 used for 20 eur and it works like a charm. Put it in the boot and ran the wire from the factory stereo under driver side moldings to the changer in 20 min, not too hard of a job with fish tape for the console part.

 

[Doofer]

That is really good news. Do you get access to all ten disks? (I think the standard one is 5 disks) Do you get artist/track info on screen if it's a recent CD?

 

[notorious]

yes all 10, track info yes for song number and time.